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Best Indian Restaurants in LA

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(credit: hlphoto/shutterstock)

Asian restaurants are a fixture in the Los Angeles food scene and Indian cuisine is certainly no exception. The impressive collection of restaurants in Artesia's bustling Little India can't be beat but there plenty of options around the city featuring delicious regional fare and innovative modern Indian fusion.

Cardamaom
(credit: Cardamom)

Cardamom
7233 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 936-1000
www.cardamomla.com

Popular U.K. chef Manju Choundhury's Stateside debut is a winner, offering a contemporary Indian menu served in a elegant dining room. Start with the tuk tuk platter, highlighted by the house specialty onion piaza (deep fried shredded onions with papkria lentil batter). You can't go wrong with any of the curries including the creamy Bademi Malai Murgh which features the restaurant's namesake spice. The $11.95 express set lunch menu is one of the best deals in Mid-City.

Badmaash - Yelp Shelly Z.
(credit: Yelp – Shelly Z.)

Badmaash
108 W. 2nd St. #104
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 221-7466
www.badmaashla.com

This downtown Indian gastropub offers an eclectic selection of east meets west fusion. Canada's beloved cheese curd and gravy-laden poutine gets an extra hit of heat courtesy of masala dusted fries and chicken tikka masala topping while late night revelers can't get enough of the chili cheese naan 2.0. If you're carb consciousness, don't fret. There's plenty to choose from including a stellar mixed mushroom tandoori and Badmaash's take on cioppino, the popular San Francisco seafood stew

Mayura
(credit: Mayura)

Mayura
10406 Venice Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90028
(310) 559-9644
www.mayura-indian-restaurant.com

A longtime Culver City favorite, Mayura specializes in the cuisine of the southern Indian state of Kerala. Choose from an impressive selection of pizza-like uthappam and massive cone-shaped dosas and be sure to order any of the Kerala special curries and biryianis. Mayura newbies should start with the expansive lunch buffet which is offered seven days a week.

Rajdhani - Yelp Felix L.
(credit: Felix L./yelp)

Rajdhani
18525 Pioneer Blvd.
Artesia, CA 90701
(562) 402-9102

Focusing on Gujarati vegetarian thalis, Rajdhani is heavy on the food and light on the wallet. Waiters rush by to fill your plate with all you can-eat-offerings of rice, bread, and a rotating selection of appetizers, sides, and curries. If things get a little too spicy, not to worry. Buttermilk is provided to help cool things down. Just remember to save room for dessert which is also included in the meal.

Al-Noor
(credit: Al-Noor)

Al-Noor
15112 Inglewood Ave.
Lawndale, CA 90260
(310) 675-4700
www.alnoor-restaurant.net

This halal Southbay star earns raves for highlighting fresh ingredients in made-to-order dishes. The freshly baked garlic naan is a must as well as anything off the tandoori menu, particularly the weekend-only seekh kebab. Al-Noor also has several dishes you won't find at your neighborhood Indian joint, including spicy goat hoof and mutton in onion sauce.

Jay Bharat
(credit: Jay Bharat)

Jay Bharat
18701 Pioneer Blvd.
Artesia, CA 90701
(564) 924-3310
www.jaybharat.com

Don't let the huge menu scare you. Round up a posse and order a bunch of traditional snacks and South Indian specialties including some of the best lentil soup in Little India. If you're too full for dessert, take some sweets including a variety of flavored barfi, the popular Indian condensed-milk based confection.

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